St. Joseph's opens doors to new church

DOWNINGTOWN — St. Joseph Parish opened the doors of a newly built church by hosting a dedication ceremony Saturday.

A procession led members of the clergy to the doors prior to the start of the ceremony. The members walked from across the parking lot from behind the old church and were joined by Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput.

The archbishop presided over the ceremonies, which included welcoming hymns by the front door of the new church and accepting a ceremonial key to the church from representatives of Casaccio Yu Architects and Caldwell, Heckles and Egan Builders with Monsignor Joseph C. McLoone, church pastor.

Lee Casaccio, principal of Casaccio Yu Architects, said the design focuses on the church’s mission to love and serve God and others. Lee said various architectural forms, such as the bell tower, recall history and tradition.

The shape inside the church allows everyone from any generation to gather around the altar, Casaccio said, for togetherness around Christ.

The outside of new church resembles the first 1852 church built in the Johnsontown area of Downingtown, said Karen Dawson, the parish services director.

It is a church that many people remember, she said.

Dawson said the new church features stained-glass windows from closed churches in Philadelphia. Several stained-glass windows were created by George Boos of Munich, Germany. Over the next few years, eight more windows will accept stained glass. The parish will redesign and restore those windows, she said.

Other features of the new church include a cross-like cruciform. The shape can be seen from a bird’s eye view. Dawson said the cross-like shape “brings thoughts to God.”

The church features quatrefoils on the lights that look like crosses. Dawson said such sacred designs remind us of God.

It was an emotional time for some who have belonged to the church for years. The second church opened its doors in 1971. A study reported that 94 percent of respondents were in favor of building a new church.

Dawson said a committee board was developed to seek options to accommodate the on-going growth of the church membership. It was expected the membership would increase by 30 percent by 2013. Dawson said the board noted it would cost the same to expand the old church as it would to build a new church.

The project cost of the new church is estimated at $9.6 million. The parish received pledges from members of about $5.3 million toward the project.

Plans of the third church began in 2007. The new church holds 1,200, up from the old church holding 850. St. Joseph has a membership of 4,400 families.

The old church closed its doors Saturday prior to the opening of the new church.

The last official activity held in the old church was a marriage at 1 p.m. to a Downingtown couple, according to Kathy Thomas, director of religious education. Father Brian Kean married Lauren Nance and Gregory Dunn. Children from St. Joseph’s 2013 eighth grade graduating class were outside with a banner to congratulate the married couple.

The old church will be demolished for more parking. The demolition is expected in July.

The ceremony was followed by a dinner reception for guests. St. Joseph Church is at 338 Manor Ave.